Plain Old Turkey Brine - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 gallons water, divided
1/2 lb sugar
1/2 lb salt
herbs, and
spices (such as thyme, bay leaves, black peppercorns, cloves, etc)
1/2 gallon ice

Preparation

In a large pot, bring 1 gallon water to a boil. Add the sugar, salt and spices, then stir until the salt and sugar dissolve.
Add 1 gallon of cold water and the ice. Transfer the brine to a container large enough to contain it and the turkey (I do this with a turkey breast and put it in a small cooler -- Many grocers sell special brining bags for this purpose).
Add the turkey to the brine, breast side submerged, close the container and refrigerate overnight.
Once brined, remove the turkey from the liquid and drain. Pat the bird dry with paper towels and proceed with roasting as directed by your recipe. Check the internal temperature early, as brined turkeys cook faster than those not brine.
Makes enough brine for a 10-pound turkey.